Colonel Archibald Gracie page 3 by ric gustafson
I went to my stateroom and put my possessions three large traveling bags. Steward Cullen came and helped me put on a long Newmarket overcoat and my life preserver. As I walked to Deck A on the port side toward the stern, I heard the band began to play. I did not recognize any of the tunes but they were cheerful to listen to.
I pointed and showed the ladies who were near me a bright light that was probably about five miles away. I told them not to worry that a ship would come to our rescue. I found out later that the light I saw belonged to the steamer Californian which was bound from London to Boston. It's Captain was Captain Stanley Lord. This steamer sent two ice warnings earlier including one saying that the steamer was stopped due to ice.
After forty five minutes, Captain Smith gave the order to lower the lifeboats. He ordered his crew to allow only women and children. I went to the Boat Deck on Deck A port side to help assist ladies into the boats. Sixth Officer J.P. Moody was in charge. I went into the ship to locate two of my table mates. Mrs Churchhill Candee and Mr Edward Kent. I checked the smoking room and found four people, Major Butt, Clarence Moore, Frank Miller and a man I did not know. I smiled after my friend Clinch Smith told me that Mrs Candee was already in one of the boats. From the Boat Deck, I heard a rocket and then Morse red and blue lights.
research help: ' Titanic a survivor's story' by Colonel Archibald Gracie
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Lent 2014 day 30
Lent 2014 day 30 by ric gustafson
Luke 18:16- ' Allow the children to come to me. Don't forbid them because God's kingdom belongs to people like these children'.
Babies are helpless and dependent. The disciples in this story tried to send the children away. The parents of these children were trying to ask for blessings for their infants.
The kingdom of heaven is a gift. Jesus is not impressed by our titles and accomplishments. Jesus wants us just as we are his little children.
We cannot give God anything more than our hearts. He has given us everything so what can we give him in return?. Before God we are helpless infants. We can only give him our love and devotion.
I pray that I can give God the one thing that I can offer him, my heart.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Luke 18:16- ' Allow the children to come to me. Don't forbid them because God's kingdom belongs to people like these children'.
Babies are helpless and dependent. The disciples in this story tried to send the children away. The parents of these children were trying to ask for blessings for their infants.
The kingdom of heaven is a gift. Jesus is not impressed by our titles and accomplishments. Jesus wants us just as we are his little children.
We cannot give God anything more than our hearts. He has given us everything so what can we give him in return?. Before God we are helpless infants. We can only give him our love and devotion.
I pray that I can give God the one thing that I can offer him, my heart.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Colonel Archibald Gracie page 2
Colonel Archibald Gracie page 2 by ric gustafson
I was enjoying a good night's rest when I was awakened by a shock and noise on the starboard side. I got up from the bed, turned on the electric light and then glanced at my watch which was on the dresser. It said 11:45. I opened my cabin door, looked into the corridor but could not see or hear anything. I put on some underclothes, shoes and socks, trousers and a Norfolk coat.
I walked into the corridor and then walked up to the third deck which was called the boat deck. It was a beautiful night without clouds and the stars were shining brightly. I saw no activity so I walked to A Deck on the port side and looked over the rail to see if I could see anything wrong. I noticed Mr Ismay and a member of the crew hurrying up the stairway. Ismay was hatless and wore a day suit.
My friend Clinch Smith walked up to me and showed me some ice that he had in his hands. A fellow passenger ran up and told us that he witnessed an iceberg that was at least fifty feet above A Deck. Then I learned that the mail room was flooded but the postal clerks were still at their posts. They transferred two hundred bags of registered mail. Right away, I noticed a list on the companionway floor.
research help: ' Titanic, a survivor's story' by Colonel Archibald Gracie
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
I was enjoying a good night's rest when I was awakened by a shock and noise on the starboard side. I got up from the bed, turned on the electric light and then glanced at my watch which was on the dresser. It said 11:45. I opened my cabin door, looked into the corridor but could not see or hear anything. I put on some underclothes, shoes and socks, trousers and a Norfolk coat.
I walked into the corridor and then walked up to the third deck which was called the boat deck. It was a beautiful night without clouds and the stars were shining brightly. I saw no activity so I walked to A Deck on the port side and looked over the rail to see if I could see anything wrong. I noticed Mr Ismay and a member of the crew hurrying up the stairway. Ismay was hatless and wore a day suit.
My friend Clinch Smith walked up to me and showed me some ice that he had in his hands. A fellow passenger ran up and told us that he witnessed an iceberg that was at least fifty feet above A Deck. Then I learned that the mail room was flooded but the postal clerks were still at their posts. They transferred two hundred bags of registered mail. Right away, I noticed a list on the companionway floor.
research help: ' Titanic, a survivor's story' by Colonel Archibald Gracie
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Lent 2014 day 29
Lent 2014 day 29 by ric gustafson
Luke 14:11-' All who lift themselves up will be brought low and all those who make themselves low will be lifted up'.
In the time of Jesus, banquets were a place to see and be seen. Guests were seated according to social status. Guests wanted to sit as close to the host as possible. The religious leaders in this story wanted their special place at the table. They wanted honor instead of honoring God.
God has invited us to his heavenly banquet. We are invited only because God gives us his mercy and grace. Being righteous is the goal of discipleship not social standing. What matters to God is that our hearts are open. Jesus is at the banquet. Will we welcome him and show him the place of honor?.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Luke 14:11-' All who lift themselves up will be brought low and all those who make themselves low will be lifted up'.
In the time of Jesus, banquets were a place to see and be seen. Guests were seated according to social status. Guests wanted to sit as close to the host as possible. The religious leaders in this story wanted their special place at the table. They wanted honor instead of honoring God.
God has invited us to his heavenly banquet. We are invited only because God gives us his mercy and grace. Being righteous is the goal of discipleship not social standing. What matters to God is that our hearts are open. Jesus is at the banquet. Will we welcome him and show him the place of honor?.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Colonel Archibald Gracie page 1
Colonel Archibald Gracie page 1 by ric gustafson
On Sunday morning April 14, there was hardly a ripple on the water. Captain Smith has been trying to improve upon the previous day's speed. In the last twenty four hours, the ship had traveled 546 miles. As the day went on, I had heard that the ship had received wireless messages from passing steamers to the presence of icebergs and icefloes. I noticed that it was getting colder outside and that I needed to dress warmer.
Sunday morning I decided to exercise. The instructor of the gymnasium was T.W. McCawley. This little man in white flannels had a broad English accent. He showed me how to use the bicycle, the rowing machine and the camel.
Then I went to the church service in the dining saloon. We sang from number 418 of the hymnal which was ' Prayer for those at Sea'. This was the last hymn sung on board the ship. I've been reading a book titled ' Old Dominion'. On this Sunday, I've been visiting with Mr and Mrs Isidor Straus. The couple was excited about communicating with their son and his wife who were on the passing ship Amerika.
That night, I ate with James Clinch Smith and Edward A Kent. Afterwards, we adjourned to the Palm Room where we had coffee and listened to the ship's band. From there, we went to the smoking room and conversed with other men including John B Thayer, George Widener and Clarence Moore. My stay in the smoking room was short and I retired early to my room.
research help: ' Titanic a survivor's story' by Colonel Archibald Gracie
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
On Sunday morning April 14, there was hardly a ripple on the water. Captain Smith has been trying to improve upon the previous day's speed. In the last twenty four hours, the ship had traveled 546 miles. As the day went on, I had heard that the ship had received wireless messages from passing steamers to the presence of icebergs and icefloes. I noticed that it was getting colder outside and that I needed to dress warmer.
Sunday morning I decided to exercise. The instructor of the gymnasium was T.W. McCawley. This little man in white flannels had a broad English accent. He showed me how to use the bicycle, the rowing machine and the camel.
Then I went to the church service in the dining saloon. We sang from number 418 of the hymnal which was ' Prayer for those at Sea'. This was the last hymn sung on board the ship. I've been reading a book titled ' Old Dominion'. On this Sunday, I've been visiting with Mr and Mrs Isidor Straus. The couple was excited about communicating with their son and his wife who were on the passing ship Amerika.
That night, I ate with James Clinch Smith and Edward A Kent. Afterwards, we adjourned to the Palm Room where we had coffee and listened to the ship's band. From there, we went to the smoking room and conversed with other men including John B Thayer, George Widener and Clarence Moore. My stay in the smoking room was short and I retired early to my room.
research help: ' Titanic a survivor's story' by Colonel Archibald Gracie
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Lent 2014 day 28
Lent 2014 day 28 by ric gustafson
Luke 11:42- ' How horrible for you Pharisees you give a tenth of your mint, rue and garden herbs of all kinds while neglecting justice and love for God'.
A popular image of Jesus from Sunday school is a man of gentleness and lots of patience. But he could also get upset by religious hypocrisy. Jesus could not tolerate people mistreating others in the name of God. He was happy to talk to unbelievers, pagans even Samaritans. But he got upset at those who took faith without allowing God to change their hearts.
Jesus accused the Pharisees of paying attention to insignificant religious laws without reflecting on the foundation of faith. He also accused them of using religion for status. Lastly, he accused them of thwarting other people's faith by being bad examples.
I pray that Jesus will save me from hypocritical faith and will open my eyes.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Luke 11:42- ' How horrible for you Pharisees you give a tenth of your mint, rue and garden herbs of all kinds while neglecting justice and love for God'.
A popular image of Jesus from Sunday school is a man of gentleness and lots of patience. But he could also get upset by religious hypocrisy. Jesus could not tolerate people mistreating others in the name of God. He was happy to talk to unbelievers, pagans even Samaritans. But he got upset at those who took faith without allowing God to change their hearts.
Jesus accused the Pharisees of paying attention to insignificant religious laws without reflecting on the foundation of faith. He also accused them of using religion for status. Lastly, he accused them of thwarting other people's faith by being bad examples.
I pray that Jesus will save me from hypocritical faith and will open my eyes.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Monday, March 31, 2014
Lent 2014 day 27
Lent 2014 day 27 by ric gustafson
Luke 10:41- ' The Lord answered " Martha Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things".
Sometimes we are pressured to get things done. At times, we concentrate on things expected of us and not priorities.
Mary was sitting at Jesus's feet. Martha was getting worried and distracted because her sister was breaking social conventions and expectations.
We were created to have a relationship with God. Mary did the right thing and spent time with Jesus. This story reminds us that we need to examine expectations placed on us. Are these expectations getting in the way of knowing Jesus better?.
I pray that I will spend all of my time with Jesus my Savior.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
Luke 10:41- ' The Lord answered " Martha Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things".
Sometimes we are pressured to get things done. At times, we concentrate on things expected of us and not priorities.
Mary was sitting at Jesus's feet. Martha was getting worried and distracted because her sister was breaking social conventions and expectations.
We were created to have a relationship with God. Mary did the right thing and spent time with Jesus. This story reminds us that we need to examine expectations placed on us. Are these expectations getting in the way of knowing Jesus better?.
I pray that I will spend all of my time with Jesus my Savior.
research help: ' The Sanctuary For Lent' by Sue Mink
Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric
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